Music-leaf turner.



WJD. PARKER. MUSIC LEAF TURNER.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 923,440. 14 ma Patented June 1,1909.

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W. D. PARKER. MUSIC LEAF TURNER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 190s.

Patented June 1, 1909.

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W. D. PARKER. MUSIC; LEAP TURNER. APPLIATION FILED MAY 14 1908 923,440. Patented June 1, 1909.

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:llNlllEE STATES PTEN WALTER l). PARKER, OF ROME, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONEJHHRD TO LEONARD l". MCKOY, OF ROME, GEORGIA.

MUSEO-LEAF TURNER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June l, 1909.

Application filed May 14., 1908. Serial No. 432,871.

To all' whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, lAL'rnn D. PARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rome, Floyd county, Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Music/Leaf Turners g and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in leaf turners, and more particularly relates to vices for turning the pages or leaves of music books or sheets, and the objects and nature el mv invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings which illustrate what l now consider my preferred embodiment from among other forms, arrangements and constructions within the spirit and scope of my invent-ion.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and arrangements and combinations of parts as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing's ,Mlligure l, is a front elevation of a leaf turner constructed in accordance with my invention. Eig. 2, is a vertical section. Eig. 3, is a top plan view. Fig. it, is a horizontal section. Fig. 5, is an enlarged plan view of one of the leaf blade slides, showing a portion of a turning arm. Figs. 6 and are detail views illustrating tly e leaf blade slide, the locking cam lever thereof not being shown in Fig. 6. Eig. 8, is a detail view illustrating' the vertical series of detents and the pivot and stop rods thereof. vFig. 9, is a detail view illustrating the foot pedal operated air compressor'.

ln the drawings, l, is a suitable elongated base having the upright standards 2, having brackets or shoulders 3, constituting a book rack to carry and support the music book or sheets in open or tlat position for easy reading and inspection by the performer. lt so desired, the standards at their upper ends can be provided with clips or any other suitable means for holding the book back. However, l do not wish to limit my invention to any particulai` construction of base or of book support or rack as any suitable .means can be -provided for holding th musice book or sheets in the desired displayed position and adJustment. Any suitable portable folding or other rack or stand can be employed, or the musical instrument can be provided with the usual or with any suitable book or sheet holder or rack.

ln the specific example illustrated, a base plate 4, is secured on the base l, and on this plate is arranged a vertical series of concentric independently rotatable. superimposed horizontal disks 5; and 6, is a horizontal top head or plate arranged above said series of disks.

The two heads or plates 4, 6, are secured together and held spaced the desired distance apart by vertical bolts 7, arranged exteriorly of the disks and, it so desired, having adjustable nuts 8, at the upper and lower faces of the head or plate 6, whereby said plate can be adjusted vertically to take up wear between the rotary disks or for other purposes.

' The disks are spaced apart and from the Yxed end heads il, 6, to permit the separato and independent rotation of each disk, by any suitable means, although in the drawings, l show the dis is separated from each other and from the .end heads 4, 6, by annular series of loose anti-friction balls 9, conned in annular ball race-ways or grooves in the upper and lower faces of each disk and in the opposing faces of the heads 1, 6.

ln its open center, each disk is provided with a coiled iinpelling spring lO, at one end secured to the disk and at the opposite end secured to a center post ll, passing centrally through the disks and normally held stationary with respect to the disks. rlhin washers l2, centered on said post can be interposed between the open centers of the adjacent disks for the purpose of separating the springs and preventing displacement and telescoping thereof. Suitable means can be provided for varying the tension of the disk impelling springs. For instance, l show the post ll, passing through and mounted to turn in the upper head or plate 6, with its )rejecting upper end squared or otherwise formed to receive a key by which the post can bc rotated to tighten all of the diskimpelling springs. At its lower end the post is provided with a pawl and ratchet mechanism 13, usually arranged in a depression in the upper face of base plate or head 4f, to hold the post against retrograde rotation under tension of the disk impelling springs.

The disk impelling springs are preferably so arranged as to constantly tend to rotate the disks from right to left, vand each disk is provided with a radial turning arm 14, extending horizontally or about horizontally from the edge thereof. lt so desired, each arm 1.4, can be secured in the slot of a lug 15, rigid with and projecting radially from the periphery ot its disk.

At its outer or free end, each radial-or turning arm is provided with a vertical or upwardly projecting leal'y .or `page engaging blade 16, adapted to rest beneath a page or leaf yand turn the same from right to left as will be easily understood `bythose skilled :in the art.

l usually provide vmeans whereby each leaf blade can be adj-usted longitudinally ot' the turning arm carrying the same, ,and if so desired wherebysaid blade can be swung or folded downwardly to a horizontal `or approximately horizontal iii-operative or out oi the way position. i To thisend, l arrange a slide r17, von each arm capable of sliding longitudinally thereof and ot slipping on and oit the free end of the arm. Atjthe front side of this slide, l tulcrum a laterally'or horizontally swinging locking Qor cam 'lever 18, normally locking the slide to the arm Aand adapted to be swung outwardly, as shown by dotted lines, to inoperative position to release the slide `and permit the same to slide ineither direction valong the arm.

The slide projects upwardly from its lower portion embracing the arm and is vertically slotted or biiurcated to receive the -lower end of the blade which is imounted in said bifurcation on transverse lpivot 20 to permit vertical swing of the blade from an outwardly extending horizontal position to the vertical operative position, or vice versa. The blade is yieldingly held when in operative and inoperative positions by a vertically disposed ilat spring 22, carried by the slide and lat its free end bearing against the edge of the lower end 21, of the blade, which edge yof end 21, can be formed with iiat `faces to engage the spring when the blade is in vertical and `horizontal positions.

Any suitable or desirable number of leaf turning arms .and their carrying Vand impelling disks can be employed and where several arms are employed they are swung to operative position, against the tension of their impelling springs, with the blades behind the successive advance pages vrespectively, which kare to be successively turned as the reading or musical performance progresses, as willbe understood. by those skilled in the art.

Means are provided to hold each arm in its operative position against the tension ol its im oelling spring, :and means, under the contro of the performer or operator, are .provided `for successively .or one at aftime, releasing said arms independently of the remaining locked arms to'permit the impelling spring thereoi to swing the arm and the page or leal in il'ront o'l' its blade aroundthrough an arc about one hundred and eighty degrees vto expose the reverse side olA the leal1 or sheet and the 'l'ront side oll the next succeeding leal'.

In the specific example illustrated, l show the edge Vor circumferential portion oll each disk l'ormed or provided with a curved about radial locking shoulder, projection or tooth 2B, adjacent to and a short distance behind its arm carrying flug or ear 15, :and adapted :to be engaged with a horizontally swinging eccentric orcam locking lever, dog, detentor trigger. A detent is provided lor each disk and the detents ol the vertical series-are Ilulcrumedfor pivote/d on a common vertical pin or post 25, arranged between the top and bottom plates 4, 6, and arranged ust beyond the disks and a short distance `in rear oi the arm carrying lugs 15, when the .arms and disks are in operativeposition.

Each detent is `formed with the elongated outwardly proecting usually straight end 24, and with the rounded cam locking head or end 26, having a disk-engaging edge or surlace arranged eccentrically with respect to the fulcrum lpin A.or post 25. The arrangeient is such that when the disk is in operative position, it can be locked and held in such position by swinging the long end 24, ol' the detent rearwardly thereby swinging its cam end 26, into engagement withthe disk edge at the viront edge oi the locking tooth -or shoulder, and thereby holding the disk in operativo position against the tension oi its spring. Atter the series ol' turning farms have perl'ormed their lea-r" turning strokes, they are swung by hand back to operative position and can be there held as thedetents are swung, by the lingers engaging long ends 24` to locking position. The turning arms are released one at a time to perform their operative strokes, usually beginning with the upper or top arm oi' the series, by successively swinging Yforwardly the projected ends 24, or" the detents and thereby moving the cam head oil each detent rearwardly:andoutwardly clear ol' and `l'rom engagement with thel tooth or shoulder 23, oi' its particular disk, permitting the disk to rotate underv the impulse o'l' its spring independently oi the remaining disks.

l provide means, under the control of the operator, for successively swinging outwardly the l'ree ends 24, ol the vertical series oiI detents. For instance, in the particular example illustrated, l have provided pneumatic means for releasing the detents comprising actuating mechanism, such as a foot pedal operated air compressor, tor transmitting force or movement to a plunger' 'lfor successively swinging and releasing the detents, means being provided whereby this plunger successively moves into operative relation or position with respect to the separate detents. To this end, l show a horizontally disposed vertically movable cylinder 27, at its rear end provided with and closed by the hollow nipple 28, coupled to the usually flexible air tube 29, leading from the foot operated air compressor to be hereinafter described. At its front end this cylinder is formed with a forwardly projecting nose, projection or guide 30, adapted to successively rest on the free ends of the uetents when in locking position. 31, is a piston in said cylinder yieldingly held to its limit of rearward movement by spring 32, with its piston rod or plunger 33, in its normal position withdrawn into the front end or head of the cylinder, from below the guide or nose 3U. Vi'hen an impulse of air under the necessary pressure is forced through tube 2Q, the piston is driven l'oiwvard thereby projecting the plunger longitudinally along the under surface of the nose 30, and striking and swinging forward the .free end ol' the detent on which said nose rests, thereby throwing the detent from locling position and .releasingl the disli and turning arm held thereby. Under the pressure ol' spring 32, the piston is immediately returned to normal position and the plunger is withdrawn from under the nose.

The cylinder is vertically movable by gravity and is upheld by its noso 30, resting on a detcnt when in locking position. lllhen all of the detents are in locking position, the cylinder nose rest-s on the topmost detent, and on swinging this detent forwardly to release the same, the cylinder automatically drops therefrom to the next detent below and so on throughout the entire series of detents, and when the bottom detent has been released, the cylinder reaches its limit of downward movement, and is then lifted by hand, or in any suitable manner, to its topmost position to permit return of the detents to locking position and to assun'ie its position upheld by and resting on the topmost detent.

Any suitable means can be provided for permitting the vertical movement of the cylinder and for guiding the same in its movement. For instance, l show a vertical guii'loway for the cylinder formed by a pair of longitudinally grooved spaced vertical posts or standards 34, at their lower ends suitably aflixed to the base and at their upper ends secured to a bracket 35, extending laterally from and secured to the top plate or head 6. The cylinder is received between said posts and is provided with lateral lugs or projections 36, fitting loosely and slid able vertically in the grooves of said posts.

ln the specific example illustrated, l show an air compressor consisting of bellows secured to a piano front board 37, below the key board, and having the flexible air tubo 29, coupled thereto to form the compressed air outlet therefrom. ln thc particular form of bellows disclosed, one head thereof is secured to the front board 37, while the movable head 38, is connected thereto by the flexible bellows sides 39, and the lower ends of the bellows heads are pivotally joined by spring hinge at), constantly tending to swing head 38, outwardly to expand the bellows.

A lever is provided for compressing the bellows to produce the momentary impulso or air pressure necessary to project the detent throwing plunger. This lever is fulcrumed at 41, intermediate its length and has the exterior foot pedal 42, while the inner end of the lever extends upwardly at the outer or rear face of the movable bellows head and is provided with anti-friction roller 43, in engagement therewith. llfhen the foot pedal is depressed, the inner upwardlyextending end of the lever forces the bellows head inwardly to compress the bellows and produce the desired momentary air pressure.

l do not wish to limit all features of my invention to any particular description of means for actuating the piston actuated releasing plunger, and where my leaf turner is employed in connection with music rack or stand, if an air compressor is employed7 it can be otherwise constructed or arranged than illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and if the bellows be employed, the compressing lever can be dispensed with.

W here the pivoted blades 1G, are cmployed, the turning arms can be locked in operative position and all of the blades swung down to inoperative position, to permit location of the music bool; on the rack or support, and the blades can. then be swung up to operative position respectively between the proper or desired leaves of the book to turn the pages successively in proper order, while the blades can be adjusted longitudinally on the arms according to the size of the book or to locate each blade in the particular position desired. with respect to the remaining blades.

instead of pressing the detcnts back to locking position by hand7 l can provide each radial arm le, with a rearwardly springing yielding finger 140, at its free rear end adapted to engage the free end of the detent belonging to said arm. When an arm swung to the right to operative position its spring finger lllO, will engage the forwardly swung dctent of said arm and press said dctent bach to locking position. The arms can all be swung bach together and the spring lingers will press the detents to position locking said arms in operative position. A vertical stop rod lei, can be provided to limit the rearward swing of the detents.

lf so desired, each leaf blade slide can comprise a pair of right angle plates having their parallel vertical portions secured together varm 14, between them.

with the spring 22, and leaf blade between them. The lower horizontal portions of said angle plates are spaced apart to receive the rlhe spring cam lever l18, is arranged between the outer ends of said horizontal portions of said 'plates and are confined therein by and turn on the pivot pin 180. ln the specific example illustrated, l show a spring or `yielding plate oi' finger 181, arranged approximatelyT parallel with the radial arm 14, on which the slide is longitudinally adjustable, and the free end of this spring finger yieldingly bears against the side face of said arni and is interposed between the same and the cam head of locking lever 1S, so that when in locking position, Figs. 5 and 7, the lever presses vand clamps said finger against the arm to look the slide thereto. 1 show the spring finger' 181, carried by, integral with, bent down and partially severed from a horizontal plate or body portion 182, secured on the top horizontal portion of one of the angle plates of the slide. lt is evident that various changes and modifications might be resorted to, that ele- -ments might be omitted, or features or constructions added, without departing from the spirit land scope of my invention, hence 1 do not wish to limit myself in all respects to the constructions disclosed. Y

What I claim as new and desire to secure 4by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A leaf turner comprising a series of independently swingable turning arms provided with leaf engaging means and with impelling mechanism, means for holding said arms in operative position against the impelling force of said mechanism, yielding contacts between said arms and said armholding means for returning `said means to arm-holding position by the backward movement of said arms to operative position, and pneumatically actuated means for successively releasing the holdinO means of said arms and thereby permitting the arms to successively perform their operative strokes.

2. A leaf turner comprising a series of independently rotatable spring impelled disks each provided with a turning arm having leaf engaging means, a series of independent disk holding detents, each detent adapted to hold its disk in operative position against the tension of its impelling spring, detent-releasing means comprising a mov able carrier and a plunger common to eall of said detents and adapted to successively move from detent to detent vand thereby successively release the same to permit said arms to successively perform their operative strokes, and manually controlled actuating means for said plunger.

3. A leaf turner comprising a spring im pelled swinging turning arm provided with leaf engaging means, a movable detent for holding said arm in operative position, a pressure actuated plunger for moving said detent to release said arm, a spring contact between said arm `and said detent for returning the detent to locking position, and manually controlled fluid compressing means for actuating said plunger.

4. A leaf turner comprising a series of spring impelled swinging superimposed turning arms provided with leaf engaging means, a series of movable detents, one for each arm for holding the same in operative position against the tension of its spring, yielding contacts between the arms and their said detents for returning the detents to armholding position by the backward movement of the arms to operative position, and a manually controlled detent releasing device common to all of the detents and adapted to separately operate the same one at a time, substantially as desc ibed 5. A leaf turner comprising a series of spring impelled independently swinging turning arms mounted on a common aXis and provided with leaf engaging means, a series of independent movable detents, one for each arm for holding the same in operative position against the tension of its spring, and a vertically movable detent releasing device common to all the detents and resting onand upheld by the topmost detent in locking position, and adapted to drop from detent to detent to separately and successively move the same to release the arms held thereby.

6. A leaf turner comprising a base having a head fixed thereto, and an opposing head fixed to said first mentioned head, a series of independently rotatable superimposed disks arranged between said heads, a post arranged centrally within all the disks and mounted in and projecting through one of said heads, said post provided with pawl and ratchet mechanism for holding the same against retrograde rotation, impelling springs for said disks, each spring at Vone end confined to its disk and at the opposite end confined to said post, each disk provided with a turning arm having leaf engaging means, and a series of disk holding detents, one for each disk, and detent releasing means.

7. A leaf turner comprising a spring inipelled rotary disk having a radial turning arm provided with leaf engaging means, said disk provided with an edge locking tooth or shoulder, a disk locking detent fulcrumed intermediate its ends exteriorly of the disk and provided with a cam locking head adapted to swing into and out of locking engagement with said tooth, said arm provided with a detent-setting spring contact and detent releasing means adapted to swing the detent to release the disk.

8. A leaf turner comprising a series of superimposed spring impelled independently rotatable disks, each provided with a turning arm having leaf engaging means, and'with an Lexterior edge locking tooth or shoulder, and a series of superimposed independent swinging l comprising a vertically movable cylinder detents mounted exteriorly of the disks to turn on a common axial line and having l'ree ends and cam locking heads adapted to move into and from locking engagement with said disk teeth, a plunger for successively engaging and swinging said detents to release said disks, a movable carrier for said plunger, and pneumatic actuating means for said plunger.

9. A. leaf turner comprising a series of spring impelled independently swingable turning arms having leaf engaging means, a series of independent superimposed movable detents, one for each arm for holding the saine in operative position, and detent releasing means comprising a vertically movable cylinder adapted to rest on and be upheld by the topmost detent in holding position, and to drop down by gravity from detent to detent as the same are moved from holding position7 a detent moving plunger carried by said cylinder, and means for actuating said plunger.

10. A leaf turner comprising a series of swinging leaf turning arms provided With leaf engaging means, a series of detents, one for each arm, for holding the same in operative position, and detent releasing means adapted to be upheld by the upper one of said detents, a piston in said cylinder provided With a detent moving plunger adapted to separately engage and move the detents successively from holding position, and manually controlled air compressing means connected with said cylinder.

1]. A leaf turner comprising a series of leaf turning arms having leaf engaging means, a vertical series of independent detents, one for each arm, a vertically movable cylinder having a nose adapted to rest on and be upheld by each detent successively, vertical guideways receiving said cylinder and maintaining the same to slide vertically therein, a piston in said cylinder provided with a plunger to project beneath said nose to successively engage and move the detents separately, means to normally maintain said plunger in Withdrawn position, and a manually controlled air compressor connected with said cylinder.

ln testimony whereof l alli); my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

TALTER D. PARKER. litnesses:

WT. T. MILNER, S. P. THOMPSON. 

